Liverpool will have to put their torrid Premier League form behind them if they are to complete the job against RB Leipzig and reach the Champions League quarter-finals. The Reds were beaten 1-0 by relegation-threatened Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday, their sixth succesive league defeat at Anfield, the first such run in the club’s history. Despite their domestic struggles, Jurgen Klopp’s side will be warm favourite to advance, having won the first leg 2-0 last month.
David Moyes says West Ham rode their luck in beating Leeds United to move back to within touching distance of the Premier League top four. Jesse Lingard and Craig Dawson struck in the first half before Leeds wasted plenty of chances after the break. Lukasz Fabianski, back from injury, made two fine saves but Patrick Bamford twice let the Hammers off the hook.
Barcelona will have to produce another remarkable Champions League comeback against PSG if they are to reach the quarter-finals of this season’s competition. Four years ago, Barcelona overcame a 4-0 first-leg defeat to beat the Ligue 1 side 6-5 on aggregate in one of the most extraordinary turnarounds in the tournament’s history. The size of the task this time is comparable, with PSG having run out 4-1 first-leg winners at Camp Nou last month, thanks in large part to a hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe.
Versatile full-back has rediscovered his self-belief and become core to RB Leipzig’s domestic and European ambitions after leaving Manchester City in January 2020
Leeds were close to being two up inside the opening ten minutes after a frantic start from the Hammers. Tyler Roberts and Patrick Bamford both saw goals disallowed with West Ham all at sea. Jesse Lingard has brought a new dimension in attack and made an excellent driving run after exchanging passes with Said Benrahma to win a penalty.
West Ham recovered from a slow start against Leeds United to secure a 2-0 victory at London Stadium on Monday night to close in on the Premier League top four. Leeds saw two early goals disallowed as David Moyes’ Hammers started sluggishly, but showed great mentality to recover as Jesse Lingard and Craig Dawson struck the vital goals before half-time. After Leeds twice went close in the opening stages, West Ham took the lead in the 20th minute after Luke Ayling tripped Lingard in the area.
Havertz was involved in both goals, seeing his deflected effort beat Jordan Pickford in the first half and then winning a penalty for Jorginho to convert after the break. It was the £71million man’s best display in a Chelsea shirt since he contracted Covid-19 in November. An 11th straight game without defeat since Tuchel took charge has put Chelsea on course for Champions League qualification.